Actuated mechanism for active pedestrian safety latch with meshed gears

ABSTRACT

A latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch for retaining the closure panel; a support plate coupled to the mounting plate by a pair of linkages, the support plate for connecting to a body of the vehicle, the pair of linkages including a pair of arms and a pair of meshed gears coupled to one another; and an actuation mechanism for mounting on at least one of the support plate or the body for extending the pair of linkages in order to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from a home position to an extended position; wherein the mounting plate is moved from the home position to the extended position during operation of the actuation mechanism.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/796,161 filed on Jan. 24, 2019; the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to vehicle safety systems.

BACKGROUND

The automotive industry is attempting to better protect pedestrians fromhead on collisions with vehicles. When a car hits a pedestrian in afront end collision, the pedestrian can be thrown up and land on thefront hood of the vehicle and/or the windshield. In an effort toameliorate the harshness of the impact, and in particular to prevent theperson's head from hitting the engine block or other hard point locateddirectly underneath the front hood, it is desired to actively space thefront hood from the engine block whenever a front end collision isdetected. In particular, when a front end collision is detected by crashsensors, it is desired to move the front hood in a very short period oftime (e.g., in milliseconds) from a first aerodynamic position where thefront hood is normally located very close to the engine block to asecond position where the front hood is actively moved few centimetersfurther away from the engine block. This activity could provide thepedestrian's head and/or torso with sufficient time and/or space todecelerate when the pedestrian impacts the front hood and thus preventfatal injury.

Other problems in industry related to safety systems is actuation speedand/or actuation distance of safety devices (e.g. device response time)tempered with actuation power requirements. A further problem inindustry is the need for a smaller packaging size of safety systems. Afurther problem in industry is the need for reduced cost of safetysystems, including module components to facilitate replacement areduction in replacement costs.

SUMMARY

It is an object to the present invention to provide a latch travelmechanism to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above-mentionedproblems.

A first aspect provided is a latch travel mechanism for a closure panelof a vehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting alatch, the latch for retaining the closure panel; a support platecoupled to the mounting plate by a pair of linkages, the support platefor connecting to a body of the vehicle, the pair of linkages includinga pair of arms and a pair of meshed gears coupled to one another; and anactuation mechanism for mounting on at least one of the support plate orthe body for extending the pair of linkages in order to move themounting plate relative to the support plate from a home position to anextended position; wherein the mounting plate is moved from the homeposition to the extended position during operation of the actuationmechanism.

A second aspect provided is a method for operating a latch travelmechanism coupled to a closure panel of a vehicle, the method comprisingthe steps of: maintaining a pair of linkages provided between a mountingplate and a support plate in a collapsed state, the mounting platehaving a latch mounted thereon for retaining the closure panel in aclosed position with respect to a body of the vehicle, the support plateconnected to the body of the vehicle; operating an actuation system inorder to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from thehome position to an extended position; and expanding the pair oflinkages to a deployed state in response to moving the mounting platerelative to the support plate from the home position to an extendedposition, such that the pair of linkages includes a pair of arms and apair of meshed gears; wherein the latch is also moved from the homeposition to the extended position as mounted on the mounting plate.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided an activepedestrian system including a closure panel of a vehicle comprising astriker, a latch travel mechanism for the closure panel, the mechanismincluding a mounting plate for mounting a latch, the latch comprising aratchet for retaining the striker, the latch for retaining the closurepanel in a closed position with respect to a body of the vehicle, asupport plate coupled to the mounting plate, the support plate forconnecting to a body of the vehicle, one or more linkages connected tothe support plate at one end and connected to the mounting plate atanother end, the one or more linkages providing said coupled to themounting plate, one or more linkages expandable, and an actuation systemcoupled to at least one of the support plate, the mounting plate and thelinkages for extending the linkages in order to move the mounting platerelative to the support plate from a home position to an extendedposition, wherein the latch is also moved from the home position to theextended position when mounted on the mounting plate, wherein thestriker moves relative to the ratchet when the latch is moved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects will be more readily appreciated havingreference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an example vehicle using a safetyactuation system;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the hood latch of FIG. 1A shown inisolation;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the hood latch of FIG. 1A shown ina primary home position;

FIG. 3A is a front perspective exploded view of the hood latch of FIG.3;

FIGS. 4a and 4b show respectively a side and front view of the latch ofFIG. 1 as retained in the home position;

FIGS. 5a and 5b show respectively a side and front view of the latch ofFIG. 1 as released while yet in the home position;

FIGS. 5c and 5d show respectively a side and front view of the latch ofFIG. 1 as released and in a partially deployed position;

FIGS. 6a and 6b show respectively a side and front view of the latch ofFIG. 1 as released and in an extended position;

FIG. 7 shows perspective front view of the latch of FIG. 1 as releasedand in the extended position;

FIG. 8a is a front perspective view of a further embodiment of theactuation system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8b is a rear perspective view of a further embodiment of theactuation system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 8a in alocked state;

FIG. 9b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 8a in alocked state;

FIG. 10a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 8a in anunlocked state;

FIG. 10b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 8a in anunlocked state;

FIG. 11a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 8a in anextended position;

FIG. 11b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 8a in anextended position;

FIG. 12a is a front perspective view of a still further embodiment ofthe actuation system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 12b is a rear perspective view of a still further embodiment of theactuation system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 13a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 12a in ahome position;

FIG. 13b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 12a in ahome position;

FIG. 14a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 12a in anextended position;

FIG. 14b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 12a in anextended position;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a still further embodiment of theactuation system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 16a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 15 in ahome position;

FIG. 16b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 15 in ahome position;

FIG. 17a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 15 in anextended position;

FIG. 17b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 15 in anextended position;

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of a still further embodiment of theactuation system shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 19a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 18 in ahome position;

FIG. 19b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 18 in ahome position;

FIG. 20a is a side view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 18 in anextended position;

FIG. 20b is a front view of the actuation system shown in FIG. 18 in anextended position;

FIGS. 21, 22 a, 22 b, 23 a, 23 b, 24 a, and 24 b show a still furtherembodiment of the actuation system shown in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 25, 26 a, 26 b, 27 a, 27 b, 28 a and 28 b show a still furtherembodiment of the actuation system shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 29a is a front view of the actuation system shown in collapsedstate in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 29b is a front view of the actuation system of FIG. 29a shown inexpanded state in accordance with an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 29c is a rear perspective view of the actuation system of FIG. 29aillustrative a guide mechanism, in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment;

FIGS. 30A to 30F are a series of sequential views of a mating latchcomponent being moved by the latch of FIG. 21 from an initial positionto an active pop-up position; and

FIGS. 31A to 31F are a series of sequential views of the actuationsystem of FIG. 21 being moved from an initial collapsed position to anactive pop-up position;

FIGS. 31G and 31H illustrates a tilting motion of mounting plate 115 ofactuation system of FIG. 21 during movement from an initial collapsedposition to an active pop-up position, in accordance with anillustrative embodiment;

FIGS. 32A to 32C are a series of sequential views of the actuationsystem corresponding to FIGS. 31A to 31F, illustrating a linkagetransitioning between a collapsed state to an expanded state;

FIG. 33 is a method of operating a hood latch with a safety actuationsystem in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 34A is a side view of actuation system of FIG. 21 having a lockingassembly in a locked state, in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 34B is a side view of actuation system of FIG. 21 having a lockingassembly in an unlocked state, in accordance with an illustrativeembodiment;

FIG. 35 shows an example operation of the hood latch incorporating thetravel latch mechanism of FIGS. 3 to 34 b;

FIGS. 36a, 36b show an alternative embodiment of the travel latchmechanism of FIG. 35 including kinematic illustration;

FIGS. 37a, 37b show various planar views of the travel latch mechanismof FIGS. 36a , 36 b;

FIGS. 38a, 38b, 38c, 38d show various deployment positions of the travellatch mechanism of FIGS. 36a , 36 b;

FIGS. 39a, 39b show further embodiments concerning cable deployment ofthe travel latch mechanism of FIGS. 36a, 36b ; and

FIG. 40 shows a method of operating a latch travel mechanism, inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1A, shown is a vehicle 4 with a vehicle body 5 havingone or more closure panels 6. The closure panel 6 is connected to thevehicle body 5 via one or more panel operation components 8, for examplesuch as but not limited to a hinge 98 and/or a latch 100 (e.g. forretaining the closure panel 6 in a closed position once closed or forretaining the closure panel 6 in an open position once opened). It isalso recognized that the hinge 98 can be configured as a biased hingethat can be configured to bias the closure panel 6 towards the openposition and/or towards the closed position. Further, the paneloperation component 8 can be configured as a lift assist systemincluding one or more struts, not shown, for example used in tail liftgate systems. The closure panel 6 can have a mating latch component 96(e.g. striker) mounted thereon for coupling with a respective paneloperation component 8 (e.g. latch) mounted on the vehicle body 5.Alternatively, the panel operation component 8 can be mounted on theclosure panel 6 and the mating latch component 96 mounted on the body 5(not shown). In further alternative, the panel operation component 8 canbe used to operatively couple the closure panel 6 to the body 5, such asthe case for the hinge 98.

The panel operation components 8 provide for movement of the closurepanel 6 between a closed panel position (shown in dashed outline) and anopen panel position (shown in solid outline), such that the operationcomponent(s) 8 can be involved during the movement of the closure panel6 between the open panel position and the closed panel position (e.g.for a hinge 98), can be involved in driving the movement of the closurepanel 6 towards the open panel position (e.g. for an opening latch 100),or can be involved in driving the movement of the closure panel 6towards the closed panel position (e.g. for a retaining latch 100). Inthe embodiment shown, the closure panel 6 pivots between the open panelposition and the closed panel position about a pivot axis 9 (e.g. of thehinge 98), which can be configured as horizontal or otherwise parallelto a support surface 11 of the vehicle 4. In other embodiments, thepivot axis 9 may have some other orientation such as vertical orotherwise extending at an angle outwards from the support surface 11 ofthe vehicle 4. In still other embodiments, the closure panel 6 may movein a manner other than pivoting, for example, the closure panel 6 maytranslate along a predefined track or may undergo a combination oftranslation and rotation between the open and closed panel positions,such that the hinge 98 includes both pivot and translational components(not shown). As can be appreciated, the closure panel 6 can be embodied,for example, as a hood, passenger door or lift gate (otherwise referredto as a hatch) of the vehicle 4. Also provided is an actuation mechanism101 coupled to one or more of the panel operation components 8, suchthat the actuation mechanism 101 is configured for actuating theoperation or otherwise bypassing the operation of the one or more paneloperation components 8, as further described below. In this manner, theactuation mechanism 101 can be used to forcefully provide, duringdeployment, some form of force assisted open operation (e.g. full open,partial open, etc.) of the closure panel 6. The actuation mechanism 101can be deployed by any accelerated reaction time methods suitable, e.g.pyrotechnic, hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical, as desired.

For vehicles 4, the closure panel 6 can be referred to as a partition ordoor, typically hinged, but sometimes attached by other mechanisms suchas tracks, in front of an opening 13 which is used for entering andexiting the vehicle 4 interior by people and/or cargo. It is alsorecognized that the closure panel 6 can be used as an access panel forvehicle 4 systems such as engine compartments and also for traditionaltrunk compartments of automotive type vehicles 4. The closure panel 6can be opened to provide access to the opening 13, or closed to secureor otherwise restrict access to the opening 13. It is also recognizedthat there can be one or more intermediate open positions (e.g.unlatched position) of the closure panel 6 between a fully open panelposition (e.g. unlatched position) and fully closed panel position (e.g.latched position), as provided at least in part by the panel operationcomponent(s) 8. For example, the panel operation component(s) 8 can beused to provide an opening force (or torque) and/or a closing force (ortorque) for the closure panel 6.

Movement of the closure panel 6 (e.g. between the open and closed panelpositions) can be electronically and/or manually operated, where powerassisted closure panels 6 can be found on minivans, high-end cars, orsport utility vehicles (SUVs) and the like. As such, it is recognizedthat movement of the closure panel 6 can be manual or power assistedduring operation of the closure panel 6 at, for example: between fullyclosed (e.g. locked or latched) and fully open (e.g. unlocked orunlatched); between locked/latched and partially open (e.g. unlocked orunlatched); and/or between partially open (e.g. unlocked or unlatched)and fully open (e.g. unlocked or unlatched). It is recognized that thepartially open configuration of the closure panel 6 can also include asecondary lock (e.g. closure panel 6 has a primary lock configuration atfully closed and a secondary lock configuration at partially open—forexample for latches 100 associated with vehicle hoods).

In terms of vehicles 4, the closure panel 6 may be a hood, a lift gate,or it may be some other kind of closure panel 6, such as anupward-swinging vehicle door (i.e. what is sometimes referred to as agull-wing door) or a conventional type of door that is hinged at afront-facing or back-facing edge of the door, and so allows the door toswing (or slide) away from (or towards) the opening 13 in the body 5 ofthe vehicle 4. Also contemplated are sliding door embodiments of theclosure panel 6 and canopy door embodiments of the closure panel 6, suchthat sliding doors can be a type of door that open by slidinghorizontally or vertically, whereby the door is either mounted on, orsuspended from a track that provides for a larger opening 13 forequipment to be loaded and unloaded through the opening 13 withoutobstructing access. Canopy doors are a type of door that sits on top ofthe vehicle 4 and lifts up in some way, to provide access for vehiclepassengers via the opening 13 (e.g. car canopy, aircraft canopy, etc.).Canopy doors can be connected (e.g. hinged at a defined pivot axisand/or connected for travel along a track) to the body 5 of the vehicleat the front, side or back of the door, as the application permits. Itis recognized that the body 5 can be represented as a body panel of thevehicle 4, a frame of the vehicle 4, and/or a combination frame and bodypanel assembly, as desired.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the closure panel 6 can be configured as ahood panel of the vehicle 4, such that each hinge 98 and respectiveactuation mechanism 101 is configured as a hinge assembly 94, and thelatch 100 and actuation mechanism 101 is configured as a latch assembly10. It is recognized that the actuation mechanism 101 of the hingeassembly 84 can be optional, as desired.

Referring to FIG. 2, one embodiment of the latch 100 includes a mountingplate 115 that can be contoured to facilitate attachment of the latch100 to a frame (e.g. body 5) of the motor vehicle 4 (see FIG. 1A). Themounting plate 115 can be contoured to define a generally planarmounting surface and a plurality of apertures for attaching variouscomponents of the latch 100 thereto. Preferably, mounting plate 115 is astamped metal component. A mating latch component 96 (e.g. striker) issecured to the closure panel 6 (e.g. hood 6) and extends outwardlytherefrom. The mating latch component 96 can be a generally U-shaped barthat is engaged by the latch 100 to latch the closure panel 6 in theclosed position. The latch 100 can be secured to the body 5 by mountingplate and positioned so that the mating latch component 96 will engagethe latch 100 upon the closure panel 6 reaching the closed position. Itis appreciated that, alternatively, the latch 100 may be secured to theclosure panel 6 and the mating latch component 96 may be secured to thebody 5 of the vehicle 4. Positioned on the mounting plate 115 can be afishmouth or slot 114 for receiving the mating latch component 96therein, in other words the slot 114 of the latch 100 is configured forreceiving a keeper of the mating latch component 96. The slot 114 has anopen top end and a closed bottom end. The latch 100 can also include acover plate (not shown). The mounting plate 115 and cover plate can beinterconnected by first and second rivets (not shown) that each haverespective integral shafts extending beyond the cover plate. Themounting plate 115, cover plate and interconnecting rivets can provide ahousing for the latch 100. Those skilled in the art will appreciate thata wide variety of alternative configurations may be deployed to providethe latch housing.

The latch 100 includes a number of latch elements 110 (e.g. a ratchet 24and a pawl 40) that are configured to couple to the mating latchcomponent 96 in order to retain the mating latch component 96 within theslot 114 when the closure panel 6 is in the closed position (e.g.locked). Alternatively, the latch elements 110, both of which arepivotally secured to the frame plate. The ratchet 24 includes an arm andarm spaced apart to define the generally u-shaped slot 114 there between(e.g. a hook of arm and a lip of arm that extends laterally beyond thehook. The ratchet 24 can also include a primary shoulder stop and apointed secondary shoulder stop. Note that in FIG. 2 the ratchet 24 isshown in a fully closed position (e.g. facilitating the retention of themating latch component 96 in the slot 114) which may also be referred toas the primary closed position.

The ratchet 24 can be biased to an open position by a substantialtorsion spring that is mounted pivotally on the rivet shaft andconnected between the cover plate and the plate. The torsion spring isan example of a ratchet biasing member, which biases the ratchet 24towards the open position. The ratchet 24 moves between a unlatchedposition for releasing the mating latch component 96 and a latchedposition, such that the mating latch component 96 is received in theslot 114 and cooperates with the receiving slot 114 of the mountingplate. The ratchet 24 is biased to the unlatched position via a biasingmember. The pawl 40 has can have a shoulder (or detent) that interactsor otherwise engages with primary and secondary shoulder stops of theratchet 24, in order to releasably retain the ratchet 24 in the latchedposition. The pawl 40 can also feature a primary release tab 44 and/or asecondary release tab.

The pawl 40 is biased to a locking position (e.g. latched position)where the ratchet 24 is shown in a primary closed position by a torsionspring. The torsion spring 48 is an example of a pawl biasing member.Accordingly, the pawl 40 can be biased to disengage with the ratchet 24via the pawl biasing member.

A release lever 50 can also pivotally mounted between the frame plate 12and the cover plate 18. The primary release lever 50 can include a tab52 for connection to a release cable (not shown) that is connected to arelease handle (not shown) located in the vehicle 4 compartment forinitiating by a driver for opening of the latch 100. The end result ofoperation of the release lever 50 is that the pawl 40 is disengaged withthe ratchet 24, under action of the pawl biasing member, thus allowingthe ratchet biasing member to assist in pivoting the ratchet 24 from theclosed (or latched position to the open or unlatched position (notshown). The primary release lever 50 can interact with the pawl 40 viaits primary release tab 44 and can thus also be biased by pawl biasingmember into the non-engaged position.

As noted above, however, the latch 100 can be coupled to actuationmechanism 101, shown in FIGS. 1a and FIGS. 3-7. The actuation mechanism101 can include the support plate 117 that can connect to the mountingplate 115 of the latch 100 and thereby can form part of the latchhousing (not shown), as desired. The mounting plate 115, the supportplate 117 and the actuation mechanism 101 can be collectively referredto as a latch travel mechanism 99 or with inclusion with the latch as alatch travel assembly 99, as desired. It is recognized that in theembodiments of the latch 100 shown in FIGS. 3-7, the mounting plate 115is connected to the support plate 117 via linkages 118, such that thelinkages 118 are connected by a hinge or pivot 120 at one end to themounting plate 115 and at the other end via a hinge or pivot 122 to thesupport plate 117. The support plate 117 can be connected to the body(see FIG. 1A) via mounting holes 124. Pivot 120 can have a pin 126 (seeFIG. 7) for coupling with a locking member (e.g. locking hook) 128 whenthe latch 100 is in a home (or non-extended) position (see FIG. 3), suchthat when the pin 126 is retained by the locking member 128 (e.g. innotch as shown by example) the latch 100 is inhibited from extending (asshown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in the extended position). The locking member 128can be configured to pivot about a pivot point (e.g. pivot 122), suchthat the locking member is biased about the pivot point by a biasingmember (e.g. spring—not shown) into contact with the pin 126 forretaining the latch 100 in the home or non-extended position (e.g.receiving of the pin 126 in notch 123 of the locking member 128). It isrecognized that operations other than pivoting (e.g. linear extensionand retraction—not shown) of the locking member 128 with respect to thepin 126 can be envisioned as desired. Locking member 128 is an exampleof component of a locking assembly 67, for locking or unlocking therelative movement between the mounting plate 115 and the support plate117. In accordance with another example of a locking assembly 67, andwith reference to FIGS. 34A and 34B, Locking member 128′ is provided toengage directly between the support plate and the mounting plate 115,for example locking member 128′ is shown as a lever pivotally mounted tomounting plate 115 for rotation about pivot point 129 provided on themounting plate 115. Locking member 128′ may be biased about pivot point129 such that locking member 128′ is biased towards a locking state orposition. In a locking state locking member 128′ may engage with supportplate 117 to prevent relative movement between the support plate 117 andthe mounting plate 115. For example locking member 128′ is shown asengage a locking feature 69, such as a lug or pin or catch or the likeprovided on supporting plate 117. Alternatively, locking feature 69 maybe a hole or aperture provided in supporting plate 117. When decouplingplate 170 is initially moved by actuating mechanism 101, engagement ofabutment 178 on abutment surface 180′ of the locking member 128 acts topivot locking member 128′ out of locking engagement with locking feature69 to allow movement between mounting plate 115 and supporting plate117, as illustratively shown in FIG. 34B.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the actuation mechanism 101 can be mounted onthe body 5 or on the support plate 117 itself, such that operation ofthe actuation mechanism 101 can be used to decouple the pin 126 from thelocking member 128, thus facilitating movement of the latch 100 from thehome position (see FIG. 3) to the extended position (see FIGS. 6 and 7).It is noted that pin 126 is not shown in FIG. 3 for visual claritypurposes only. The actuator mechanism 101 can have a housing 130 withactuation means (e.g. [pyrotechnic) for extending and retracting apiston 132 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) for facilitating movement of the latch100 (as well as mounting plate 115) between the home and extendedpositions.

One example of the interaction of the piston 132 with the latch 100 isshown in FIG. 3, such that an actuator link 134 is connected to thelinkages 118, such that a force of the piston 132 on the actuator link134 causes the linkages 118 to extend and thus move the latch 100 fromthe home position to the extended position. A pretravel slot 119 isprovided on each of the linkages 118 which allow the actuator link 134to move between a first slot end 119A to a second slot end 119B withoutinfluencing motion on the linkage 118. When the actuator link 134reaches the second slot end 119-B (from an initial resting or homeposition at the first slot end 119A) the actuator link 134 will enterinto abutting contact therewith to be able to therefore urge the linkage118 into an upward motion as guided by the motion of the piston 132during an additional travel of the actuator link 134. During itstransition between the first slot end 119A and the second slot end 119B,the actuator link 134 will impart the movement of the locking member 128out of coupling with the pin 126, (and without imparting motion of thelinkage 118 until the locking member 128 has been disengaged with thepin 126), through the engagement of the actuator link 134 with a camsurface 139 of the notch 136. However, it is recognized that theactuator link 134 can be positioned on the latch 100, itself and/or themounting plate 115 (for example) in order to provide for extension ofthe latch 100 when acted upon by the piston 132 (as driven by theactuator mechanism 101).

Referring again to FIG. 3 as one embodiment of coupling of the actuatorlink 134 to the latch 100/mounting plate 115, in this case via thelinkages 118 themselves, the actuator link 134 can be received in anotch 136 in the locking member 128 when the locking member 128 isengaged with the pin 126 (when the latch 100 is in and retained in thehome position). The locking member 128 can also have a travel surface141 extending from the notch 136 in order to guide travel of theactuator link 134 as the latch 100 translates from the home to theextended position.

In operation, as shown in FIGS. 4a , to 6 b, the latch 10 is first (inFIG. 1A) held in the home position by retention of locking member 128with pin 126. In this state, the linkages 118 are also retracted aspivots 120,122 are adjacent to one another as the mounting plate 115 isseated adjacent to the support plate 117. Next, as shown in FIG. 5a, 5b, the locking member 128 is decoupled from the pin 126. This decoupling(e.g. the pin 126 is removed from the notch 123 is shown by exampleonly, as a result of initial movement (i.e. deployment) of the piston132 by the actuation mechanism 101, as the locking member 128 is rotatedabout pivot 122 against its bias towards the pin 126. FIG. 5c, 6d showsthe latch 100 (and mounting plate 115) in the partially extendedposition. FIG. 6a, 6b shows the latch 100 (and mounting plate 115) inthe extended position as indicated by the travel distance A verticallyfrom the home position as well as travel distance B horizontally fromthe home position. For example, the travel distances A,B facilitate theextended movement of the latch 100 about the pivot position of the hood6 via hinge 98 (see FIG. 1A). It is recognized that the latch 100 can beclosed (i.e. latched such that the striker 96 is retained in by theratchet 24—see FIG. 2) when the latch 100 is in the home (see FIG. 3,4)and/or extended (see FIG. 6a, 6b ,7) positions.

As such, referring to FIG. 6,7, the latch 100 as shown has an activepop-up height, e.g. min 60 mm pop-up height during active firing of theactuator mechanism 101. After latch 100 firing (e.g. deployment of thepyrotechnic actuator) the deactivation (return to secondary position)can be done by pulling an inside release handle. For example, there canbe no pressure in the actuator piston after active firing of thechemical actuator. A secondary catch can be attached to the latch or tothe striker, as desired. The latch 100 of FIG. 3 can be a modular latchassembly.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, biasing member 142 a, e.g. torsionspring, can be used to bias the linkage 118 positions in the homeposition and to otherwise maintain contact between the piston 132 andthe actuator link 134 during movement thereof. As shown, the linkages118 have a pair of links on either side of the support plate 117,however it is envisioned that other configurations of linkages 118 canbe used as desired. In order to translate/rotate the latch 100 from thehome to the extended position.

Referring to FIGS. 8a,b , 9 a,b, 10 a,b, 11 a,b, a further embodiment ofthe latch 100 and associated actuation mechanism 101 is shown. Theactuation mechanism 101 can include the support plate 117 that canconnect to the mounting plate 115 of the latch 100 and thereby can formpart of the latch housing, as desired. The mounting plate 115 is coupledto the support plate 117 via pins 140 and slot 142 arrangement, suchthat the pins 140 are connected to the mounting plate 115 and the slots142 are formed in the support plate 117 (recognizing that the oppositeconfiguration can also be provided). Two or more pins 140 may also beprovided, and for example to prevent a tilting motion TM of mountingplate 115. During operation, the pins 140 travel along the slot 142 asthe actuation mechanism 101 moves the latch 100 from the retracted tothe extended position. The support plate 117 can be connected to thebody 5 (see FIG. 1A) via mounting holes 124. An abutment 144 (e.g.decoupling plate) is positioned on the mounting plate 115 for couplingwith the locking member 128 (e.g. locking hook—for example mounted onthe support plate 117) when the latch 100 is in the home (ornon-extended) position (see FIG. 8a ), such that when the abutment 144is retained by the locking member 128 (e.g. in notch as shown byexample) the latch 100 is inhibited from extending (as shown in FIGS.11a and 11b in the extended position). The locking member 128 can beconfigured to pivot about a pivot point (e.g. pivot 123 a), such thatthe locking member 128 is biased about the pivot point 123 a by abiasing member (e.g. spring 123 b) into contact with the abutment 144for retaining the latch 100 in the home or non-extended position (e.g.receiving of the abutment 144 in notch of the locking member 128). It isrecognized that operations other than pivoting (e.g. linear extensionand retraction—not shown) of the locking member 128 with respect to theabutment 144 can be envisioned as desired.

Referring again to FIG. 8a , the actuation mechanism 101 can be mountedon the body 5 (see FIG. 1a ) or on the support plate 117 itself, suchthat operation of the actuation mechanism 101 can be used to decouplethe abutment 144 from the locking member 128, thus facilitating movementof the latch 100 from the home position (see FIGS. 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b ) tothe extended position (see FIGS. 11a, 11b ). The actuator mechanism 101can have the housing 130 with actuation means (e.g. (pyrotechnic) forextending and retracting the piston 132 (see FIGS. 11a,11b ) forfacilitating movement of the latch 100 (as well as mounting plate 115)between the home and extended positions.

One example of the interaction of the piston 132 with the latch 100 isshown in FIG. 8a , such that an actuator link 134 (e.g. tab) isconnected to the mounting plate 115, such that the force of the piston132 on the actuator link 134 causes the mounting plate 115 to extend andthus move the latch 100 from the home position to the extended position.As shown in FIGS. 10a, 10b , initial actuation of the actuationmechanism 101 causes the abutment 144 to act on the locking member 128(thus pivoting the locking member 128 about the pivot 123 a against thebias of the biasing member 123 b). Once pivoted, the locking member 128is taken out of contact (i.e. disengaged) with the pins 140, thusfreeing them to move within the slot 142. Shown in FIGS. 11a , 11 b isthe latch 100 with the mounting plate 115 in the extended position, forexample with the pins 140 reaching their full travel extent in the slots142, due to piston 132 acting on the actuation link 134 via extensionfrom the housing 130 mounted on the body 5 and/or support plate 117.

Referring to FIGS. 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b a further embodiment ofthe latch 100 with actuation mechanism 101 is shown. The actuationmechanism 101 can include the support plate 117 that can connect to themounting plate 115 of the latch 100 and thereby can form part of thelatch housing (not shown), as desired. It is recognized that in theembodiment of the latch 100 shown, the mounting plate 115 is connectedto the support plate 117 via linkages 118, e.g. on either side of themounting plate 115, such that the linkages 118 are connected by a hingeor pivot 120 at one end to the mounting plate 115 and at the other endvia a hinge or pivot 122 to the support plate 117. The support plate 117can be connected to the body (see FIG. 1A) via mounting holes 124.

Referring again to FIG. 12a , the actuation mechanism 101 can be mountedon the body 5 (not shown) or on the support plate 117 itself, such thatoperation of the actuation mechanism 101 can be used to facilitatemovement of the latch 100 from the home position (see FIG. 12a,b ) tothe extended position (see FIGS. 14a,b ). The actuator mechanism 101 canhave the housing 130 with actuation means (e.g. pyrotechnic) forextending and retracting the piston 132 (see FIG. 14b ) for facilitatingmovement of the latch 100 (as well as mounting plate 115) between thehome and extended positions.

Referring to FIGS. 12a and 14b , the piston 132 is coupled via acoupling member 148 (e.g. U-shaped member) mounted on the head of thepiston 132 to the actuator link 134. As such, the piston 132 is coupledto the linkages 118, such that a force of the piston 132 on the actuatorlink 134 causes the linkages 118 to extend and thus move the latch 100from the home position to the extended position. The actuator link 134has abutting contact with the abutment member 148 to be able totherefore urge the linkages 118 into an upward motion as guided by themotion of the piston 132 during an additional travel of the actuatorlink 134. However, it is recognized that the actuator link 134 can bepositioned on the latch 100, itself and/or the mounting plate 115 (forexample) in order to provide for extension of the latch 100 when actedupon by the piston 132 (as driven by the actuator mechanism 101).

Referring to FIGS. 15, 16 a,b, 17 a,b, shown is a further embodiment ofthe latch 100 coupled to actuation mechanism 101. In this embodiment, itshould be noted that the closure panel 6 (e.g. hood) is not shown forclarity purposes only in FIGS. 15, 16 a,b, but is shown in FIGS. 17a,bin ghosted view. It should be recognized that for this embodiment, thepiston 132 (see FIGS. 17a,b ) acts directly on the closure panel 6,rather than on the link member 134 coupled to the mounting plate 115(for example see FIG. 12a ). The actuation mechanism 101 can include thesupport plate 117 that can connect to the mounting plate 115 of thelatch 100 and thereby can form part of the latch housing (not shown), asdesired. It is recognized that in the embodiments of the latch 100 shownin this embodiment, the mounting plate 115 is connected to the supportplate 117 via linkages 118, such that the linkages 118 are connected bya hinge or pivot 120 at one end to the mounting plate 115 and at theother end via a hinge or pivot 122 to the support plate 117. The supportplate 117 can be connected to the body 5 (see FIG. 1A) via mountingholes (not shown).

Referring again to FIG. 15, the actuation mechanism 101 can be mountedon the body 5 or on the support plate 117 itself, for example viasupport member 150 connected to the support plate 117. Operation of theactuation mechanism 101 can be used to extend and thus push the piston132 (see FIG. 17a,b ) against the closure panel 6 (e.g. inside surfaceof the closure panel 6), thus facilitating movement of the latch 100from the home position (see FIG. 16a,b ) to the extended position (seeFIGS. 17a,b ). In this embodiment, it is recognized that the piston 132acts on the closure panel 6 itself, which then causes the striker 96 (inview of the latch 100 still being locked or otherwise engaged with thestriker 96) to pull the latch 100 and associated mounting plate 115 awayfrom the support plate 117. The travel of the latch 100 and mountingplate 115 is guided by the linkages 118 connecting the support plate 117to the mounting plate 115. The actuator mechanism 101 can have thehousing 130 with actuation means (e.g. pyrotechnic) for extending andretracting the piston 132 (see FIGS. 17 a.b) for facilitating movementof the latch 100 (as well as mounting plate 115) between the home andextended positions, as the latch 100 follows (rather than drives) themovement of the closure panel 6. In FIGS. 17a,b , it is noted that theclosure panel 6 is secured to the striker 96, such that the closurepanel 6 and the striker 96 move simultaneously under influence of thepiston 132 travel.

Referring to FIGS. 18, 19 a,b, 20 a,b, a further embodiment of the latch100 coupled to actuation mechanism 101 is shown. Similar to theembodiment shown in FIG. 15, the piston 132 of the actuation mechanism101 acts directly on the closure panel 6 (see FIGS. 20a,b ). In additionto the embodiment of FIG. 15, FIG. 18 shows a first set of linkages 118a connected to a second set of linkages 118 b. The first set of linkages118 a are connected to the support plate 117 by pivots 122 and thesecond set of linkages 118 b are connected to the mounting plate 115 bypivots 120. The linkages 118 a,118 b can be interconnected by pivots152. Pivots 152 have an axis 151 about which linkages 118 a, 118 brotate where axis 151 is illustratively perpendicular to the planes ofmovement, for example an upwards movement A1 and rearwards B1 movementof mounting plate 115 relative to supporting plate 117. Linkages 118 a,118 b are disposed in and move within a plane, for example plane P1 thatis perpendicular to the plane of the mounting plate 115 and/or supportplate 117, for example plane P2, P3, respectively. For example linkages118 a, 118 b are disposed in and extend within a plane, for exampleplane P1 that is perpendicular to the plane P2 of the mounting plate 115in which mounting plate 115 moves or travels, for example mounting plate115 translates in two dimensions (for example upwardly and away from)relative to supporting plate 117 during a rotational movement, orexpansion, of linkages 118 a, 118 b. A pin 154 and slot 156 arrangementis used to guide the motion of the mounting plate 115 with respect tothe supporting plate 117. Operation of the actuation mechanism 101 canbe used to extend and thus push the piston 132 (see FIG. 20a,b ) againstthe closure panel 6 (e.g. inside surface of the closure panel 6), thusfacilitating movement of the latch 100 from the home position (see FIG.19a,b ) to the extended position (see FIGS. 20a,b ). In this embodiment,it is recognized that the piston 132 acts on the closure panel 6 itself,which then causes the striker 96 (in view of the latch 100 still beinglocked or otherwise engaged with the striker 96) to pull the latch 100and associated mounting plate 115 away from the support plate 117.

Referring to FIGS. 21, 21 a,b, 23 a,b, 24 a,b as a still furtherembodiment, the latch 100 can be coupled to actuation mechanism 101. Theactuation mechanism 101 can include the support plate 117 that canconnect to the mounting plate 115 of the latch 100 and thereby can formpart of the latch housing (not shown), as desired. The mounting plate115, the support plate 117 and the actuation mechanism 101 can becollectively referred to as a latch travel mechanism 99 or withinclusion with the latch 100 as a latch travel assembly 99, as desired.It is recognized that in the embodiments of the latch 100 shown, themounting plate 115 is connected to the support plate 117 via linkages118, such that the linkages 118 are connected by a hinge or pivot 120 atone end to the mounting plate 115 and at the other end via a hinge orpivot 122 to the support plate 117. Pivots 120, 122 illustratively havean axis 153 about which linkages 118 rotate where axis 153 isillustratively perpendicular to the planes of movement, for example anupwards A1 movement, or one dimensional movement, of mounting plate 115.Linkages 118 are disposed in and move within a plane that is parallel tothe plane of the mounting plate 115 and/or support plate 117. Forexample plane P4 of linkages 118 is parallel to the plane of themounting plate 115 and/or support plate 117, for example plane P2, P3,respectively. For example linkages 118 are disposed in and extend withina plane, for example plane P4 that is parallel to the plane P2 of themounting plate 115 in which mounting plate 115 moves or travels, forexample mounting plate 115 linearly translates relative to supportingplate 117 during a rotational movement or expansion of linkages 118. Thesupport plate 117 can be connected to the body 5 (see FIG. 1A) viamounting holes 124. FIG. 21 illustrates a pair of opposed linkages 118,where each opposed linkages 118 is configured as a two-bar linkage.Other types of linkages 118 may be provided, such as a single ormultiple bar linkage configuration.

The assembly 99 can have one or more pin(s) 126 (e.g. blocking rivets)for coupling with a locking member (e.g. locking hook) 128 when thelatch 100 is in the home (or non-extended) position (see FIG. 22a,b ),such that when the pin 126 is retained by the locking member 128 (e.g.in notch as shown by example) the latch 100 is inhibited from extending(as shown in FIGS. 24a,b in the extended position). The locking member128 can be configured to pivot about a pivot point (e.g. pivot 127),such that the locking member 128 is biased about the pivot point by abiasing member (e.g. a spring 176 in cooperation with the decouplingplate 170) into contact with the pin 126 for retaining the latch 100 inthe home or non-extended position (e.g. receiving of the pin 126 innotch 123 of the locking member 128 and/or into abutment of abutmentsurface 131 of the locking member 128 with the pin 126). It isrecognized that operations other than pivoting (e.g. linear extensionand retraction—not shown) of the locking member 128 with respect to thepin 126 can be envisioned as desired. As shown, the assembly 99 can havea pair of locking members 128, such that locking member 128 and thesecond locking member 128 are opposed to one another on either side ofthe pivot 127 (e.g. mirrored to one another). It is also recognized thatone locking member 128 can be utilized in order to restrain the mountingplate in the home position, as desired.

Referring again to FIG. 21, the decoupling plate 170 is coupled to theactuation mechanism 101 at one end by a tab 172, such that force appliedby the piston 132 (see FIG. 24a ) of the actuation mechanism 101 on thetab 172 results in removal of an abutment 178 from abutment surface 180of the locking member 128, thus allowing the locking member 128 tobecome decoupled from the pin(s) 126 upon further movement of the piston132. For example, the decoupling plate 170 is connected to the mountingplate 115 by a pin 182 and slot 184 arrangement, such that movement ofthe decoupling plate 170 from a coupled to an uncoupled position isaccomplished via travel of the pin(s) 182 in the slot 184. Two or morepins 182 may be provided to assist with preventing tilting TM of themounting plate 115. Further, for example, as the pins 182 are connectedto the mounting plate 115, as the pins 182 reach a travel stop 190 inthe slot 184, further movement of the decoupling plate 170 by the piston132 concurrently moves the mounting plate 115 and thus the latch 100from the home position to the extended position (see FIG. 24b ). It isrecognized that the travel stop 190 could be positioned on thedecoupling plate 170 other than with respect to the slot 184 (notshown), so long as once the travel of the decoupling plate 170 reachesthe position shown in FIG. 23b for decoupling the stop 178 with theabutment surface 180 of the locking member 128, further travel of thedecoupling plate 170 (under influence of the piston 132 travel) causesthe travel stop 190 to engage with the mounting plate 115 and thus movethe mounting plate 115 from the home position to the extended position.It is recognized that the movement of the linkages 118 guide the travelof the mounting plate 115 from the home position to the extendedposition, once the pins 126 are removed from the notches 123 of thelocking member(s) 128.

Slot 124 includes inwardly protruding tabs 171 configured to engage pins182 to restrict upward motion of mounting plate 115 below apredetermined force as applied by the pins 182 on the tabs 171 inresponse to upward movement of mounting plate 115. Inwardly protrudingtabs 171 may be configured to be deformable, breakable, bendable,crushable or the like such that above the predetermined force applied bythe pints 182 on the tabs 171, the pins 182 may bypass the tabs 171 andcontinue travel within slot 124 thereafter in an unrestricted upwardmotion of the mounting plate 115 as guided by the slot 124. Guide slot124 and pins 140 arrangement as an example of a guide configurationprovided between the mounting plate and the supporting plate 117 mayalso act to restrict a tilting motion TM of the mounting plate 115during the deployment of the mounting plate 115 as a result of theextending linkages 118 to stabilize the mounting plate 115 and thelinkage 118 during expansion of the linkages 118 from the collapsedstate of the linkages 118, as illustratively shown in FIGS. 31G and 31Hfor example. FIG. 31G illustrates a tilting motion TM of the mountingplate 115 as a result of the piston 132 acting directly or indirectly onthe plate, and for example off centered the mounting plate 115, whileFIG. 31H illustratively shows a tilting motion TM of the mounting plate115 as a result of the piston 132 acting directly on the closures panel6 which urges the striker 96 to pull the mounting plate 115 upwardly,for example as a result of the striker 96 retained in by latch elements110 (e.g. a ratchet 24). More than one guide slide 124 may be providedbetween mounting plate 115 and supporting plate 117, and/or between atleast one of mounting plate 115 and supporting plate and linkage 118. Itis recognized a guide configuration provided between one of the mountingplate 115 and the support plate 117 and the linkage 118 may also beprovided.

Alternative to use of the travel stop 190, the tab 172 can come intocontact with the closure panel 6 (for example see FIG. 17a ), after thelocking member(s) 128 are decoupled from the pin(s) 126 (see FIG. 23b ),and thus as further piston 132 travel moves the closure panel 6 thelatch 100 and mounting plate 115 also move therewith as the striker 96remains retained by the latch 100.

Referring to FIG. 24b , the pin(s) 126 can travel in a travel slot 192formed in the locking members 128 themselves. Upon reaching the endtravel of the travel slot 192 (i.e. when the latch 100 is in theextended position), the pin(s) 126 can be received in a locking notch196, thus facilitating holding of the closure panel 6 in the extendedposition along with the mounting plate 115 and mounted latch 100thereon. As such, movement of the locking member(s) 128 about pivot 127can be guided by travel of the pin 126 in the travel slot 192.Similarly, the movement of the pin 126 in the travel slot 184 can beused to guide the movement of the linkages 118, as desired. It isrecognized that biasing member 174 can be used to decouple the lockingmembers 128 from the pins 126 once the decoupling plate is initiallymoved by the actuation mechanism 101 (see FIG. 23b ), as the biasingmember 174 biases the pins 126 out of engagement with the notches 123.Further, the biasing member 174 can be used to bias pivot of the lockingmembers 128 about the pivot 127, thus facilitating travel of the pins126 in the travel slot 192 from the notch 123 to the notch 196.

Referring to FIGS. 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b 11a, 11b , similarly, thelatch travel mechanism 99 of FIG. 21 can include the mounting plate 115coupled to the support plate 117 via the pins 140 and slot 142arrangement, such that the pins 140 are connected to the mounting plate115 and the slots 142 are formed in the support plate 117 (recognizingthat the opposite configuration can also be provided). During operation,the pins 140 travel along the slot 142 as the actuation mechanism 101moves the mounting plate 115 from the home position (e.g. retractedposition) to the extended position. The pin 140 and slot 142 arrangementcan be used to stabilize or otherwise guide the relative movementbetween the support plate 117 and the mounting plate 115, as themounting plate 115 moves from the home position to the extendedposition. As shown in FIG. 8b , the pin 140 and slot 142 arrangement canbe positioned opposite the latch 100 between sides 117 a of the supportplate 117. Two or more pins 140 may be provided for one slot 142 asillustratively shown in FIG. 29C to prevent rotation or tiling TM of themounting plate 115 relative to the support plate 117 in accordance withan illustrative example. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9a , the pin140 and slot 142 arrangement can be positioned on the side 117 a, asdesired. Further, as shown in FIGS. 29 a,b,c, an alternative embodimentof the travel mechanism 99 of FIG. 21, showing an example position ofthe pin 140 and slot 142 arrangement between the sides 117 a of thesupport plate 117,

Referring to FIGS. 30A to 30F, there is illustrated a sequence of viewsof deployment of latch 100 as a result of an active pedestrian operatingmode in which a pedestrian has been detected to have contacted thevehicle 10, or is almost about to contact the vehicle 10 by a controller121 which will in turn control the firing of actuation mechanism 101 todeploy piston 132.

FIG. 30A illustrates the piston 132 in a rest position immediately priorto firing of actuation mechanism 101. Linkages 118 are in a non-deployedor collapsed state. Locking members 128 are in a locked state to preventa relative movement between mounting plate 115 and support plate 117.Piston 132 is not in engagement with tab 172.

FIG. 30B illustrates the piston 132 in an initially deployed positionimmediately after firing of actuation mechanism 101. Linkages 118 remainin a non-deployed or collapsed state. Locking members 128 remain in alocked state to prevent a relative movement between mounting plate 115and support plate 117. Piston 132 has entered into initial engagementwith tab 172.

FIG. 30C illustrates the piston 132 in a continued deployed positionafter firing of actuation mechanism 101. Linkages 118 are now in aninitial deployed or expanding state. Locking members 128 are now in anunlocked state to allow a relative movement between mounting plate 115and support plate 117, for example to allow linkages 118 to transitioninto the initial deployed or expanding state. Piston 132 has enteredinto initial engagement with tab 172 to move tab 172 and pin 126 todecouple from a blocking position of pin 126 with locking member 128

FIG. 30D illustrates the piston 132 in a further continued intermediarydeployed position after firing of actuation mechanism 101. Linkages 118are now in an intermediary deployed or expanding state. Locking members128 remain in an unlocked state to allow a relative movement betweenmounting plate 115 and support plate 117, for example to allow linkages118 to continue to transition into the deployed or expanding state.Piston 132 remains in engagement with tab 172 to move tab 172 upwardly.Tab 172 has entered into contact with an underside of closure panel 6(e.g. hood) to begin moving the closure panel 6 (e.g. hood) upwardlyinto an active pedestrian protection position, or partially openedposition.

FIG. 30E illustrates the piston 132 in a further continued intermediarydeployed position after firing of actuation mechanism 101. Linkages 118continue to be deployed or transition towards a fully expanded state.Locking members 128 remain in an unlocked state to allow a relativemovement between mounting plate 115 and support plate 117, for exampleto allow linkages 118 to continue to transition into the deployed orexpanding state. Piston 132 has remained in engagement with tab 172 tomove tab 172 upwardly and tab 172 remains entered into contact with anunderside of closure panel 6 (e.g. hood) to continue to urge the closurepanel 6 (e.g. hood) upwardly into an active pedestrian protectionposition, or partially opened position.

FIG. 30F illustrates the piston 132 in an end of travel deployedposition after firing of actuation mechanism 101. Linkages 118 are in afully deployed or expanded state to provide the final pop-up height ofthe closure panel 6 (e.g. hood). Locking members 128 may enter into ablocking or locked state to maintain the final deployed position betweenmounting plate 115 and support plate 117, for example to maintainlinkages 118 in their deployed or expanded state. Piston 132 may remainin engagement with tab 172 to maintain tab 172 upwardly an in contactwith an underside of closure panel 6 (e.g. hood) to hold the position ofthe closure panel 6 (e.g. hood) upwardly in the active pedestrianprotection position, or partially opened position. Alternatively oradditionally, locking members 128 in the blocking or locked state maymaintain the final deployed position between mounting plate 115 andsupport plate 117, for example by maintaining linkages 118 in theirdeployed or expanded state, such that ratchet 100 urges the striker 96and thus the closure panel 6 in the active pedestrian deployed state.Comparing FIGS. 30F and 30A, closure panel 6 is illustrated to havemoved from a closed position height H1 in FIG. 30A, to a partiallyopened position having a pop-up height H3 as shown in FIG. 30F. Closurepanel 6 is permitted to be moved to pop-up height H3 as a result ofdeployment or expanding of linkages 118 from a compact collapsed stateas shown in FIG. 30A and having a packaging dimension D1, to an expandedstate as shown in FIG. 30F and having an unpackaged dimension D2, wheredimension D2 is greater than D1. As a result linkage 118 may provide acompact pre-deployed dimension advantageous for providing a smallpackaging size of latch 100, and a greater post-deployed dimensionadvantageous for providing an increase in pop-up height of the closurepanel 6 relative to a size of the latch 100 housing the linkage 118.

Referring to FIGS. 31A to 31F, there is illustrated a sequence of viewsof deployment of linkages 118 from a collapsed state of FIG. 31A to anexpanded state of FIG. 31F, corresponding to FIGS. 30A to 30Frespectively. FIG. 31A illustrates a compact packaging dimension D1 oflinkages advantageous for reducing the packaging size of latch 100, withFIG. 31F illustrating an expanded state as shown in having an unpackageddimension D2, where dimension D2 is greater than D1. Further illustratedin FIG. 31A to 31F is the rotational movement of the linkages 118 aboutpivots 120, 122. Illustratively, pins 126 provided on linkages 118follow a path of rotation R towards and away from one another, such thatlinkages 118 do not interfere with one another during expansion oflinkages 118. Linkages 118 may also be provided in an overlapping mannersuch that linkages 118 may cross one another during deployment to reducethe width W of the latch 100 while maintaining the length L of thelinkages 118 to provide the desired pop-up height. Linkages 118 may beprovided having equal lengths, or may be provided having differentlengths, for example lower linkage 1181 may be provided with a shorterlength than upper linkage 118 u depending on the desired packaging widthW of latch 100.

Referring to FIG. 25, shown is a further embodiment of the latch travelassembly 99, in particular whereby the latch 100 remains stationaryduring actuation of the actuation mechanism 101 (i.e. the position ofthe mounting plate 15 is fixed with respect to the body 5 as mountedthereon), while linkages 118 provide for movement of a striker plate 202coupled to the striker 96 upon movement of the closure panel 6 (see FIG.28b ) by the actuation mechanism 101. For example, the mounting plate115 can be mounted to the body 5 (shown in ghosted view) via mountingholes 124. Further, the actuation mechanism 101 can be mounted directlyto the body 5 (not shown) and/or mounted to the mounting plate 115 viaan actuator bracket 200. The decoupling plate 170 in this embodiment iscoupled to pin 126 which is engaged with the locking member 128 when theactuation mechanism 101 is prior to deployment (in this case where themovable striker plate 202 is in the home position—see FIG. 26b ).

Referring again to FIG. 25, the striker 96 is connected to the strikerplate 202 mounted to the closure panel 6. The striker 96 is pivotallycoupled (recognizing that other forms of movable coupling can beprovided) to the striker plate 202 by the linkages 118. Referring toFIG. 28b , the linkages 118 can be pivotally connected at one end to thestriker plate 202 by pivots 204 and at the other end to the striker 96by pivots 206. It is also recognized that holding pins 208 can be springloaded, in order to retain the striker plate 202 in the extendedposition (see FIG. 28b ). For example, the holding pins 208 can bebiased by biasing members (not shown) to contact an abutment surface 210of the linkages 118 when the striker plate 202 reaches the extendedposition. As such, return of the striker plate 202 to the home positionis blocked by the holding pins 208 when engaged with the abutmentsurface 210.

Upon operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 25, the actuationmechanism 101 initially moves the decoupling plate 170 in order todisengage the pin 126 from the locking member 128 (i.e. the member 128stopping movement of the linkages 118 when engaged therewith). Once thelocking member 128 is freed from restricted movement by displacement ofthe pin 126, the locking member becomes disengaged from the linkages 118and thus further operation of the actuation mechanism 101 cases contactof the decoupling plate 170 with the closure panel 6 (e.g. via thestriker plate 202) and thus further extension of the piston 132 causesthe closure panel 6 to extend from the home position to the extendedposition. As the striker 96 remains retained by the latch 100, movementof the closure panel 6 causes the linkages 118 to pivot about theirpivots 204,206 and thus the linkages also move from their home position(see FIG. 27b ) to their extended position (see FIG. 28b ), thusallowing for the striker plate 202 to also move from the home positionto the extended position.

Reference is made to the above figures, which show the differentversions of the actuation mechanism 101. The device of the actuationmechanism can include a fluid-actuated cylinder, a control valve and asource of pressurized fluid. The cylinder can includes a cylinderhousing and a piston that is movable in the cylinder housing between anunactuated position and an actuated position. A piston biasing member(not shown) can be provided and can bias the piston towards theunactuated position, so as to keep the piston in the unactuated positionwhen the vehicle 4 is not incurring a collision event. In the closedposition, the control valve prevents fluid flow to the cylinder therebypreventing actuation of the cylinder. In the open position the controlvalve permits fluid flow from the source of pressurized fluid to thecylinder to drive the piston to the actuated position. The source ofpressurized fluid may simply be a vessel containing any suitable fluid,such as, for example, compressed Carbon Dioxide at a suitable pressure,such as, for example 2000 psi. In this embodiment, the control valve maybe referred to as a release member that is controllable to expose thepiston to the pressurized fluid. In another embodiment, the source ofpressurized fluid may be an inflation device that is similar to anairbag inflation device, and that includes an igniter and twocombustible chemicals, such as Sodium Azide and Potassium Nitrate,which, when ignited by the igniter, generate Nitrogen at high pressurewhich can be used to drive the piston to the actuated position. In suchan embodiment, a control valve would not be needed. However, acontroller controls the operation of the igniter. In such an embodiment,the igniter may be referred to as a release member that is controllableto expose the piston to the pressurized fluid.

As discussed above, the latch travel mechanism 99 for the closure panel6 of the vehicle 4 can include: the mounting plate 115 for mounting thelatch 100, the latch 100 for retaining the closure panel 6 in a lockedstate; the support plate 117 coupled to the mounting plate 115 by one ormore linkages 118, the support plate 117 for connecting to the body 5 ofthe vehicle 4; the locking member 128 mounted on the support plate 117and configured for retaining the mounting plate 115 in a home positionwhen coupled to the mounting plate 115 and for decoupling from themounting plate 115 when operated; and the actuation mechanism 101 formounting on at least one of the support plate 117 or the body 5 andcoupled to the linkages 118 for extending the linkages 118 once thelocking member 128 is decoupled from the mounting plate 115 in order tomove the mounting plate 115 relative to the support plate 117 from thehome position to an extended position; wherein the latch 100 is movedfrom the home position to the extended position when mounted on themounting plate 115.

As discussed above, the latch travel mechanism 99 for the closure panel6 of the vehicle 4 can also comprise: the mounting plate 115 formounting the latch 100, the latch 100 for retaining the closure panel 6;the support plate 117 coupled to the mounting plate 115, the supportplate 117 for connecting to the body 5 of the vehicle 4; and theactuation mechanism 101 mounted on at least one of the support plate 117or the body 5 and coupled to the mounting plate 115 for acting on themounting plate 115 to move the mounting plate 115 relative to thesupport plate 117 from the home position to the extended position;wherein the latch 100 is moved from the home position to the extendedposition when mounted on the mounting plate 115.

As discussed above, the latch travel mechanism 99 for the closure panel6 of the vehicle 4 can also comprise: the mounting plate 115 formounting the latch 100, the latch 100 for retaining the closure panel 6;the support plate 117 coupled to the mounting plate 115, the supportplate 117 for connecting to the body 5 of the vehicle 4; and theactuation mechanism 101 for mounting on at least one of the supportplate 117 or the body 5 and for coupling to the closure panel 6 formoving the closure panel 6 from the home position to the extendedposition, such that the mounting plate 115 also moves relative to thesupport plate 117 while the closure panel 6 is retained by the latch100; wherein the latch 100 is moved from the home position to theextended position when mounted on the mounting plate 115.

As per FIG. 21, a latch travel mechanism for a closure panel of avehicle, the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate for mounting alatch, the latch for retaining the closure panel; a support platecoupled to the mounting plate by one or more linkages, the support platefor connecting to a body of the vehicle; a locking member mounted on thesupport plate and configured for retaining the mounting plate in a homeposition when engaged with the one or more linkages and for disengagingfrom the one or more linkages when operated; and an actuation mechanismfor mounting on at least one of the support plate or the body andcoupled to the locking member for extending the linkages once thelocking member is disengaged from the one or more linkages in order tomove the mounting plate relative to the support plate from the homeposition to an extended position; wherein the latch is moved from thehome position to the extended position with the mounting plate while theclosure panel remains retained by the latch. The latch travel mechanism,wherein a decoupling plate is used to retain the locking member in theengaged position with the one or more linkages.

As per FIG. 21, a latch travel assembly for a closure panel of avehicle, the assembly comprising: a latch for retaining the closurepanel; a mounting plate having the latch mounted thereon; a supportplate coupled to the mounting plate by one or more linkages, the supportplate for connecting to a body of the vehicle; a locking member mountedon the support plate and configured for retaining the mounting plate ina home position when engaged with the one or more linkages and fordisengaging from the one or more linkages when operated; and anactuation mechanism for mounting on at least one of the support plate orthe body and coupled to the locking member for extending the linkagesonce the locking member is disengaged from the one or more linkages inorder to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from thehome position to an extended position; wherein the latch is moved fromthe home position to the extended position with the mounting plate whilethe closure panel remains retained by the latch. The latch travelmechanism, wherein a decoupling plate is used to retain the lockingmember in the engaged position with the one or more linkages.

As per FIG. 25, a latch travel assembly for a closure panel of avehicle, the assembly comprising: a latch for retaining the closurepanel via a striker; a striker plate mounting the striker, the strikerfor engaging with the latch for retaining the closure panel, the strikerplate mounting the striker to the closure panel; a support platecoupling to a body of the vehicle, the support plate mounting the latchto the body; one or more linkages coupling the striker to the strikerplate; a locking member mounted on the striker plate and configured forretaining the one or more linkages in a home position when engaged withthe one or more linkages and for disengaging from the one or morelinkages when operated; and an actuation mechanism mounted on at leastone of the support plate or the body and coupled to the striker platefor extending the one or more linkages once the locking member isdisengaged from the one or more linkages in order to move the strikerplate relative to the support plate from the home position to anextended position; wherein the striker plate is moved from the homeposition to the extended position while the striker is retained by thelatch.

Now referring to FIGS. 32A to 32C, there is illustrated an active hoodsystem 200 including latch 100, closure panel 6, and hinges 98. Inoperation, FIG. 32A shows the mating latch component 96 at an initialheight H1 and engaged with the ratchet 24, the ratchet 24 being held bythe pawl 40 in the primary latched position. Locking member 128 iscoupled with the pin 126, and in this state, the linkages 118 areretracted and in a collapsed state with pivots 120,122 adjacent to oneanother as the mounting plate 115 is seated adjacent to the supportplate 117. Upon detection of an active pedestrian event (e.g. animminent collision or detected collision of the vehicle 4 with apedestrian using sensors), the active pedestrian control system 121, orthe vehicle Body Control Module, being in electrical communication withactuation mechanism 101, commands actuation mechanism 101 to fire todeploy the piston 132.

As shown in FIG. 32B, the ratchet 24 remains engaged by the pawl 40,locking member 128 is decoupled with the pin 126 to allow the linkages118 to expand, and mounting plate 115 and support plate 117 have movedapart from one another, and for example the mounting plate 115 has movedupwardly in a linear manner within a plane P2, for example a distanceA1, to urge at least one of the mating latch component 96 and theclosure panel 6, as a result of pivoting at hinge 98, to be movedupwardly without for example any aftward movement,

At the end of travel of the movement of piston 132 as shown in FIG. 32C,the linkages 118 are fully extended and mounting plate 115 and supportplate 117 are distanced from one another such that the mating latchcomponent 96 has been moved away from its initial position H1 to aheight H3 greater than H2. The closure panel 6 is now shown in itsactive pedestrian deployed position. In another embodiment or incombination, mating latch component 96 may be configured to sliderelative to ratchet 24 within slot 114 such that the movement ofmounting plate 115 is unhindered by the mating latch component 96, forexample as would be caused by the type of hinge 98, such as hinge 98providing a pivoting connection between the closure panel 6 and thevehicle body 5. Latch component 96 embodied as a striker formed from abent rod may include a horizontally extending portion 199 which may beadapted to be extended in length to accommodate such a horizontalportion within the slot 114 such that vertically extending portions 197do not contact with ratchet 24 to hinder the aftwards movement ofmounting plate 115.

Now referring to FIG. 33, there is illustrated a method 1000 foroperating a latch travel mechanism coupled to a closure panel of avehicle, the method illustratively including the steps of maintaining alinkage provided between a mounting plate and a support plate in acollapsed state, the mounting plate having a latch mounted thereon forretaining the closure panel in a closed position with respect to a bodyof the vehicle, the mounting plate coupled to a support plate connectedto the body of the vehicle 1002, operating an actuation system in orderto move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from the homeposition to an extended position 1004, and expanding the linkage to adeployed state in response to moving the mounting plate relative to thesupport plate from the home position to an extended position 1006, suchthat the latch is also moved from the home position to the extendedposition as mounted on the mounting plate. The step of expanding thelinkage to a deployed state in response to moving the mounting platerelative to the support plate from the home position to an extendedposition 1006 may include expanding the linkage from a collapsed statehaving collapsed dimension to an expanded state having an expandeddimension, wherein the expanded dimension is greater than the collapseddimension. The step of expanding the linkage to a deployed state inresponse to moving the mounting plate relative to the support plate fromthe home position to an extended position 1006 may include expanding thelinkage in a plane parallel to the plane of one of the support plate andthe mounting plate. The method may further include the step of guidingthe support plate relative to the mounting plate during expansion of thelinkage so as to prevent the support plate and the mounting plate topivot relative one another. The method may further include the step ofguiding one of the support plate and the mounting plate relative to thelinkage during expansion of the linkage so as to prevent the supportplate and the mounting plate to pivot relative one another. The step ofoperating an actuation system 1004 may include moving the closure panelrelative to the support plate, for example operating the actuationsystem to act directly or indirectly on the closure panel.

Referring to FIG. 35, shown is an example of operation of the actuationmechanism 101 in operation, such that tilting of the closure panel 6 andlatch 100 can occur. As such, during the active deployment of theactuation mechanism 101, it is recognized that unequal or unbalancedoperation of the linkages 118 (e.g. one side LH extends further than theother side RH). In order to address this tilting, one embodiment is apair of meshed gears 300 (see FIG. 36a, 36b ) used to inhibit unbalancedextension between the sides RH, LH. Demonstration of the effect ofbalancing of the sides RH, LH is shown in FIGS. 38a, 38b, 38c, 38dduring deployment of the actuation mechanism 101. As such, the inclusionof the pair of meshed gears 300 in the linkages 118 can be used toinhibit misalignment between the sides LH, RH during deployment of theactuation mechanism 101, as further described below. For example, noguide mechanism is required to avoid a tilting motion TM of mountingplate 115, such as slot 142 and pin 140 configured as described hereinabove.

Referring to FIGS. 36a, 36b , showing the kinematics of an embodimentwith a pair of meshed gears 300, like in the previous embodimentsdiscussed above, the latch 100 can be associated with the actuationmechanism 101 that can include the support plate 117 that can connect tothe mounting plate 115 of the latch 100 and thereby can form part of thelatch housing (not shown), as desired. The mounting plate 115, thesupport plate 117 and the actuation mechanism 101 can be collectivelyreferred to as a latch travel mechanism 99 or with inclusion with thelatch as a latch travel assembly 99, as desired. FIGS. 37a,v37b showvarious planar views of the latch travel mechanism 99 in assembled form,in the home position and extended position respectively.

It is recognized that like in the embodiments of the latch 100 shown inFIGS. 3-7, the mounting plate 115 is connected to the support plate 117via linkages 118, see FIGS. 38a to 38d , such that the linkages 118 areconnected by a hinge or pivot 120 at one end to the mounting plate 115and at the other end via a hinge or pivot 122 to the support plate 117.It is recognized that the support plate 117 is connected to the body 5of the vehicle 4. As shown, the linkages 118 also include the pair ofmeshed gears 300 (e.g. sector gears) as well as one or more arms 302.For example, the linkages 118 can include arm(s) 302 connected atpivot(s) 122 to the support plate 117, a pair of meshed gears 300coupled to the mounting plate 115 at pivots 120, and correspondingpivots 304 coupling the arms 302 to the meshed gears 300.

Referring again to FIGS. 38a to 38d , FIG. 38a shows the latch travelmechanism 99 at an unactuated stage, such that the actuation mechanism101 (see FIG. 36a , is in a non-extended position (i.e. the actuationmechanism 101 has not been actuated). It is recognized that in FIGS. 38ato 38d , the latch 100 is shown in concept only, i.e. in ghosted viewfor ease of explanation only, recognizing the latch 100 is mounted tothe mounting plate 115 as for the other embodiments described above.Further, similarly as shown in FIG. 32a , the closure panel 6 would bein the closed position (also referred to as the home position shownpictorially as position H1).

FIGS. 38b, 38c show the latch travel mechanism 99 under the influence ofa deployed actuation mechanism 101 (i.e. the actuation mechanism 101 isoperated and thus in the process of extending—see also FIG. 32b ), suchthat the latch travel mechanism 99 in FIG. 38c is further along inextension from the home position (H1—see FIG. 32a ) than the latchtravel mechanism 99 in FIG. 38b . Shown is the rotation R1, R2 of thepair of meshed gears 300 about the pivots 304, as the mounting plate 115is extended in a deployment direction D (i.e. in travelling fromposition H1 to position H3—see FIGS. 32a,32b,32c ).

FIG. 38d shows the latch travel mechanism 99 in the extended position,similar to that of position H3 shown in FIG. 32c . Further, it isrecognized that similar to the other described embodiments of FIGS. 3 to34B inclusive, the latch travel mechanism 99 of FIGS. 36a to 39b canoptionally include any of the various configurations for lockingmembers, stops, and other associated structures, as desired,

Further, contrary as shown, it is recognized that the pair of arms 302could be coupled to the mounting plate 115 and the pair of meshed gears300 could be coupled to the support plate 117, as desired.

Referring to FIGS. 39a, 39b , shown is an embodiment such that releasecables 306 (e.g. primary pawl release cable 306 a and secondary leverrelease cable 306 b), recognizing that cable hook shapes can beutilized. Also included can be a hood support release cable 308, asdesired.

Now referring to FIG. 40 in addition to the other Figures, there isshown a method 2000 for operating a latch travel mechanism coupled to aclosure panel of a vehicle, the method including maintaining a pair oflinkages provided between a mounting plate and a support plate in acollapsed state, the mounting plate having a latch mounted thereon forretaining the closure panel in a closed position with respect to a bodyof the vehicle, the support plate connected to the body of the vehicle2002; operating an actuation system in order to move the mounting platerelative to the support plate from the home position to an extendedposition 2004, and expanding the pair of linkages to a deployed state inresponse to moving the mounting plate relative to the support plate fromthe home position to an extended position, such that the pair oflinkages includes a pair of arms and a pair of meshed gears 2006, suchthat the latch is also moved from the home position to the extendedposition as mounted on the mounting plate.

We claim:
 1. A latch travel mechanism (99) for a closure panel (6) of avehicle (4), the mechanism comprising: a mounting plate (115) formounting a latch (100), the latch for retaining the closure panel; asupport plate (117) coupled to the mounting plate by a pair of linkages(118), the support plate for connecting to a body (5) of the vehicle,the pair of linkages including a pair of arms (302) and a pair of meshedgears (300) coupled to one another; and an actuation mechanism (101) formounting on at least one of the support plate or the body for extendingthe pair of linkages in order to move the mounting plate relative to thesupport plate from a home position to an extended position; wherein themounting plate is moved from the home position to the extended positionduring operation of the actuation mechanism.
 2. The latch travelmechanism of claim 1, further comprising the latch mounted on themounting plate in order to provide a latch travel assembly (99), whereinthe latch moves with the mounting plate while the closure panel remainsretained by the latch.
 3. The latch travel mechanism of claim 1, whereinthe pair of linkages are coupled by first pivots (120) to the mountingplate and coupled by second pivots (122) to the support plate.
 4. Thelatch travel mechanism of claim 3, wherein each of the pair of arms iscoupled to the support plate by a respective one of the second pivotsand each of the pair of meshed gears is coupled to the mounting plate bya respective one of the first pivots.
 5. The latch travel mechanism ofclaim 4, wherein said each of the pair of arms is coupled to arespective one the pair of meshed gears by a third pivot.
 6. The latchtravel mechanism of claim 1, wherein the linkages extend in a planeparallel to at least one of the support plate and the mounting plate. 7.The latch travel mechanism of claim 1, wherein operation of the pair ofmeshed gears inhibits misalignment of sides (RH,LH) of the mountingplate with respect to the support plate during said operation of theactuation mechanism.
 8. The latch travel mechanism of claim 1, whereinthe pair of meshed gears are sector gears.
 9. The latch travel mechanismof claim 1, wherein the pair of meshed gears are coupled by first pivotsto the mounting plate.
 10. A method for operating a latch travelmechanism coupled to a closure panel of a vehicle, the method comprisingthe steps of: maintaining a pair of linkages provided between a mountingplate and a support plate in a collapsed state, the mounting platehaving a latch mounted thereon for retaining the closure panel in aclosed position with respect to a body of the vehicle, the support plateconnected to the body of the vehicle; operating an actuation system inorder to move the mounting plate relative to the support plate from thehome position to an extended position; and expanding the pair oflinkages to a deployed state in response to moving the mounting platerelative to the support plate from the home position to an extendedposition, such that the pair of linkages includes a pair of arms and apair of meshed gears; wherein the latch is also moved from the homeposition to the extended position as mounted on the mounting plate.